Boys raise money for friend who died of cancer

Sunset Hills, MO (KSDK) - Hundreds of people shaved their heads in St. Louis all in the name of raising money for childhood cancer.

The St. Baldrick's event has been a long-standing tradition raising more than 2.5 million dollars in the last decade.

There is a lot of energy and enthusiasm surrounding this event, but it's also serious. One team of 11 and 12 year olds came together with the name 6 is a serious number because the number 6 was worn by a friend of who died recently of cancer.

"For our friend and and to help kids with cancer and maybe they will find a cure," says a hopeful Sebastian Metzner.

"It's so inspirational to me and it really makes you evaluate life and it's special to be involved with all of these people," says Brett Syberg, with Helen Fitzgerald's.

Those participating are from all walks of life, young, old, parents of cancer patients and strangers just wanting to help. These boys are shaving for their buddy 11 year old Joe Green, who lost his battle with cancer December 16th.

"He was really nice and he was really competitive and very smart and he was really fast, he was really good at soccer," says Metzner.

Joe died suddenly. His parents tell me he was having trouble breathing, they took him to the emergency room and they learned he had a rare blood cancer.

"It's pulled us through a lot of days watching them put up pictures and raise money and help other kids that get a chance to fight," says Sue Green, Joe's mom.

Metzner and the whole team decided to rally together just four weeks ago.

"For 11 and 12 year old boys to decide they want to shave their heads and to raise that level of money at $24,000 is really amazing," says Tony Metzner, Sebastian's father.

This group has grown up together and is more like family and this family has seen tragedy before.

"It's the second friend we've lost to cancer," says Sebastian.

Joe's parents say they feel the love from their son's team and are so grateful for the support.

"It's less lonely, it's better to be with people than to be alone," says Sue and Tim Green.